My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown, also known simply as My Left Foot, is a 1989 biographical comedy-drama… It tells the story of Christy Brown (Day-Lewis), an Irishman born with cerebral palsy, who could control only his left foot. Brown grew up in a poor working-class family, and became a writer and artist.

The film was well received by critics and audiences, with Day-Lewis' performance being widely acclaimed. Day-Lewis won the Academy Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, while Brenda Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film was additionally nominated for three other Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Shane Connaughton and Jim Sheridan, Best Director for Sheridan and the Academy Award for Best Picture. An Irish and British co-production, the British Film Institute ranked My Left Foot the 53rd greatest British film of the 20th century.

In 1932, Christy Brown is born into a family of 15. After his birth, doctors discover he has severe cerebral palsy. Christy is unable to walk or talk, but still receives love and support from his family, especially his mother. One day, Christy's mother trips down the stairs while in labor and Christy was the only person home to see it. He was able to alert some neighbors and summon them over to help. Christy's father, who never believed Christy would amount to anything, starts to become proud after witnessing him use his left foot, the only body part he can fully control, to write the word "mother" on the floor with a piece of chalk.

Consequently, Christy seeks a hobby in painting. The neighborhood youngsters include him in their activities, like street football, but when he paints a picture and gives it to a girl he likes, she returns it. Later, his father loses his job and the family faces exceptionally difficult hardships, so Christy devises a plan to help his brothers steal coal to their mother's dismay. Christy's mother, who had been gradually gathering some savings in a tin in the fireplace, finally saves enough to buy him a wheelchair.

Christy is then introduced to Dr. Eileen Cole, who takes him to her school for cerebral palsy patients and persuades a friend of hers to hold an exhibition of his work. Christy falls in love with Dr. Cole, but when he learns during the dinner that she is engaged to be married, he considers suicide. His mother helps him build a private studio for himself, but soon afterward his father dies of a stroke, and during the wake Christy instigates a brawl. At this point, Christy starts writing his autobiography, My Left Foot. Dr. Cole returns and they resume their friendship. Later on, Christy attends a charity event where he meets his handler, a nurse named Mary Carr. She begins reading his autobiography. He asks Mary to go out with him and they then happily leave the fete together. 1

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